Latest news with #Osterfeuer
Local Germany
15-04-2025
- General
- Local Germany
German word of the day: Osterfeuer
Why do I need to know Osterfeuer ? This word may come up as you make plans for a spring vacation or Easter celebrations in Germany. The tradition that the term refers to is particularly popular in some regions, but most of your German friends and colleagues will be familiar with the custom, whether or not they've been to one themselves. Origins of the German Osterfeuer tradition Oster is the adjectival form of Ostern - the German word for Easter - and, as you may have guessed, feuer means fire. Put together, an Osterfeuer (pronounced like this ) is the name of an Easter bonfire. In particular, it refers to the tradition of having a bonfire during the Easter holiday where groups of people gather to celebrate either the Christian holiday or the changing of the season. In fact, the English word 'Easter' comes from the German word Ostern. One common theory is that the German word was derived from the name Eostre (also sometimes spelled Ostara), who was an Anglo-Saxon goddess thought to have been associated with the spring season and fertility. In pre-Christian times, Germanic peoples are thought to have celebrated the end of winter around the spring solstice by lighting bonfires as well as engaging in feasts and dancing. In the days leading up to Easter, locals would gather branches and twigs to build a bonfire. After the fire, ashes were scattered on fields to make them fertile for the coming season. Advertisement When Christianity was established in Germany, it's thought that many of the springtime celebratory traditions were essentially co-opted by the church and simply took on new symbolic meanings. In the case of Easter bonfires, the fire which had once been seen as chasing away the dark winter spirits instead came to be representative of Jesus Christ. READ ALSO: What's on over the Easter holidays in Germany in 2025 How the Osterfeuer tradition lives on For many people today, Easter bonfires have lost their religious significance and simply offer a chance to father with friends and family around the turn of the season. The bonfire is typically lit on either Good Friday, Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday, and the community gathers in the evening to enjoy food and drink around the fiery glow. This practice is especially popular in northern Germany, with the region around Hamburg having a large number of Osterfeuern . Parts of western Germany, such as in and around North Rhine-Westphalia also have a fair amount of bonfires, and one particularly famous one if the Osterräderlauf (Easter wheel run) in Lügde, which sees burning wheels of oak and straw sent down a hillside. Spectators watch as a burning wooden Easter wheel rolls down the hill in Lüdge, North Rhine-Westphalia. Burning wooden wheels have been rolled down hills as part of Easter celebrations in Lügde for many generations. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Caroline SeidSeidel-Dißmannel That said, you can likely find an Osterfeuer somewhere nearby in most places in Germany. Here's a list of some to be found in Berlin , for example. (For other places try searching ' Osterfeuer + your city or region name'.) Germany's Federal Environment Agency estimates that between 10,000 and 20,000 Easter fires are lit each year in Germany, and warns that the fires can create high levels of particular pollution in the air in certain regions. This year, some bonfire events may be cancelled , as large parts of Germany are at a heightened fire risk due to an ongoing drought. Advertisement Use it like this: Dieses Jahr wollen wir am Sonntagabend zum Osterfeuer gehen. This year we plan to go to the easter bonfire on Sunday evening. Am liebsten esse ich am Osterfeuer Stockbrot. My favourite thing to eat at the Easter fire is bread on a stick.
Local Germany
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Local Germany
Will Germany's Easter bonfires be cancelled this year due to drought?
Europe's hottest March on record , on top of a very dry start to the year, has left German farmlands and forest particularly dry and increased the risk of wildfires. On Saturday, firefighters were busy fighting fires in western regions, such as one southwest of Dortmund that burned around 20 square kilometres. Now Easter bonfires may need to be called off in many parts of the country, unless there are sizable rain showers before then. "Easter fires can be prohibited from warning level 4 in the event of a high risk of forest fires," says the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz (BUND). When vegetation in forests and grasslands are too dry, there is a high risk that flying sparks from a fire could trigger a larger wildfire. Where could Easter bonfires be cancelled? In many parts of Germany Easter bonfires, or Osterfeuer, are intended to welcome spring and symbolically drive away winter, and have been part of the holiday tradition that dates back to pre-Christian times. For many, the Easter fire is a highlight around this time of year. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Arnold Today, larger fires hosted by various municipalities are registered with the local authorities or specially approved. This year a final decision is still pending in some places. Authorities will make their decision based on whether it rains in the coming days. READ ALSO: What's on over the Easter holidays in Germany in 2025 DPA reported over the weekend that a number of municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia are discussing whether the fires can take place this year. In several districts, such as in the Sauerland, the public order offices are in contact with the fire department. "Unless weather conditions change significantly in the coming week and noticeable rainfall is recorded, the three municipalities of Bad Berleburg, Bad Laasphe and Erndtebrück will have to prohibit the Easter fires from a risk point of view," the city of Bad Berleburg in southeastern Westphalia has announced. Advertisement In the state of Brandenburg, the fire brigade association does not consider a blanket ban to be appropriate - but have warned people to take caution. "No one wants an Easter bonfire to turn into an Easter fire," said Frank Kliem, vice-president of the state's fire brigade association. The Federal Environment Agency estimates that between 10,000 and 20,000 Easter fires are lit each year in Germany. READ ALSO: Drought prompts rethink for ancient trees at Potsdam's Sanssouci palace Showers forecast in the coming days Germany's weather service (DWD) confirms that this past March was one of the driest since records began. So far, April has continued in the same vein, but weather experts predict this could change later this week. Starting from Tuesday or Wednesday, DWD predicts that western Germany will see a spell of wet, rainy weather. Advertisement According to forecasts, there will likely be some regional showers ahead of the holiday weekend. Rain showers certainly increase the likelihood of Easter bonfires going forward, as immediate fire warning levels would go down. However, it would take significantly more rain than has been predicted to put an end to the current drought conditions in the country, which have also affected shipping lanes along the Rhine River. READ ALSO: ' Denial of reality' - Is Germany's future government ignoring the threat of climate change? With reporting by DPA.
Local Germany
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Local Germany
What's on over the Easter holidays in Germany in 2025
No matter which part of the country you spend the Easter holidays in, there are plenty of events, activities and sweet treats waiting for you. From traditional Easter markets to DIY crafts and chocolate workshops, here's some ideas for Easter festivities you can check out in Germany's major cities this year. Berlin Easter markets start early in the German capital, which is just as well as the school holiday essentially begins from the end of class on Friday. The Easter Market at Potsdamer Platz, which features a fairy tale carousel, a handicraft market and a large beer garden has already opened. For more handmade products, local foods and DIY crafts, you could visit the Easter market at Domäne Dahlem on April 12th and 13th. An array of vibrant Easter festivals will be running over the long weekend, for example on Schmiljanstraße in Friedenau or in the Gardens of the World in Marzahn. If you'd like to incorporate some fitness into your holiday schedule, you could join the Berlin Easter Run around the Schlachtensee on Saturday the 19th. Advertisement Or for something a bit different, step into the Middle Ages at the Easter Knight's Festival at the Spandau Citadel. This quirky event is open from the 19th to the 21st, with tickets costing between €7 and €15 or €38 for a family ticket. People gather around an Osterfeuer in Bochum. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Caroline Seidel Hamburg Hamburg's spring folk festival ( Hamburg DOM ) lasts until Easter Monday on the 21st and includes an Easter tent for kids over the holiday weekend. READ ALSO: Six spring festivals to mark the changing of the seasons in Germany For family-friendly craft-making with an interesting atmosphere, you can head to the Schwarze Berge wildlife park on Good Friday (April 18th). Advertisement For a more traditional German experience, there are a number of Easter bonfires held in various places in and around Hamburg. The Osterfeuer tradition speaks to the holiday's pagan roots: lighting bonfires was meant to drive away winter spirits and bring fertility to the land. Later, in the Christian religion, the flame came to represent Christ bringing light to the world. Düsseldorf Düsseldorf and its surrounding towns are also known for Easter bonfires and related events, like the infamous Osterräderlauf (Easter wheel run) in Lügde. For more bonfire events in the area, see this list by the Rheinische Post . READ ALSO: How to celebrate Easter in Germany For kids, the Stadtmuseum is hosting watercolour and acrylic painting workshops on Thursday the 17th and Saturday the 19th. Also Benrath Castle is inviting children and young people to some special events during the school holiday. There's a treasure hunt on Tuesday the 15th as well as a DIY book-folding workshop on the Tuesday and Wednesday following Easter weekend. But the main event is the classic Easter egg hunt on April 14th and 15th from 10am to 3pm. For electronic music lovers the Kiesgrube open air club is set to start the season with a show on Easter Sunday. Or those seeking a more relaxing vibe can head to the city beach for a series of concerts with a view of the Rhine on Easter Sunday and Monday. Munich For a classic holiday experience, Easter Sunday in Olympic Park promises a bit of everything; theatre, fairy tales, handicrafts, face painting, rides and two Easter bunnies distributing sweets. READ ALSO: What's on in Munich - The events not to miss this April Those interested in filling their Easter with music will have a number of options to choose from in Munich. On Saturday evening (April 19th), there will be two classical music performances at the Residenz – a serenade in the Court Chapel and a masters concert in the Max-Joseph-Saal. Alternatively, if you're looking for the opposite of tranquillity, the Isarflux Festival at the Gasteig HP8 will have bands playing music that ranges in genre from post-punk to shoegaze to indie rock. Also through the weekend and on Easter Monday, there are daily performances of "Rock the Ballet" at the Prince Regent Theatre. Advertisement Frankfurt Following the ever-popular Ostermarkt at Hessenpark on April 12th & 13th, there's plenty going on in Frankfurt to keep you entertained over the Easter weekend. A tree decorated with plastic Easter eggs. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) For adrenaline junkies of all ages, the Frankfurter Dippemess is a must-attend. The largest folk festival in the Rhine-Main region, this spring staple boasts hair-raising rollercoasters as well as smaller fairground attractions for young children, as well as plenty of beer and food stalls. The fair is closed on Good Friday but it reopens its doors on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, April 19th, the Skyline Plaza will be hosting a festive Easter parade featuring all your favourite cartoon characters. Bugs Bunny & Tweety will be joining the fun as children set out to look for some giant easter eggs hidden in Frankfurt city centre. If gourmet cuisine is more your thing, The Roof is hosting a lavish Easter brunch from 7am to 3pm on Easter Sunday. Expect a glass of Champagne, sweet and savoury treats, Easter specialities and breath-taking views of the Frankfurt skyline. With reporting by Imogen Goodman.
